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Below Average

#7924 of 9,533 schools in CA

Merced High

High School · Merced Union High

PO Box 2167, Merced, CA 95344

Enrollment

1,951

Student-Teacher

23.2:1

Score

4.8

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Merced

#29 of 37

public schools

California high schools

#1,679 of 1,892

In district

#7 of 9

Merced Union High

About Merced High

Merced High serves 1,951 students in grades 9-12 as a comprehensive public high school in Merced, California. With 84 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23.2 to 1, providing educational services to a substantial student body in this Central Valley community. Academically, Merced High faces challenges with room for growth in student achievement.

The school ranks in the 28th percentile among California high schools, with 43% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts while math proficiency stands at 11% across grade levels. These results indicate significant opportunities for academic improvement and suggest the school is working to strengthen its instructional programs to better serve its large student population. As one of the larger high schools in the region, Merced High plays an important role in the local educational landscape, serving families throughout the Merced area.

The school's substantial enrollment reflects its position as a central educational institution for teenagers in this growing Central Valley community, where educators and administrators continue working to enhance academic outcomes for all students. The campus operates within Merced's small city environment, providing students with both educational opportunities and connections to their local Central Valley community.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Merced High is 23.2:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress5.8Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.12 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency11.4%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42.9%
Math vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-13 pts
Overall Proficiency27%
Expected (poverty-adj.)31%
vs. Expected-3.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile35th
College Readiness3.3Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation11.5%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment5.2Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$14,866

Merced High — Students at Merced High score 27% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 31%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

76.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores CA CAASPP (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 15.5%
School
State
31.8%
ELA Proficiency 44.7%
School
State
51.5%

Based on 8 test records from CA state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
19%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
20%
ELA
47%
2024
Math
11.4%
ELA
42.9%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 5.8/10.

How Merced High Compares

See how Merced High performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
17th percentile in CA
Academic
5.3/10
5.3/10
Growth
5.8/10
Above average
Environment
5.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
77%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
84 teachers

Location

PO Box 2167, Merced, CA 95344

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Merced High may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Sequoia High (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is Come Back Charter (rated 6.6/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Yosemite High (Continuation) (rated 5.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Merced, see our Merced schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.0 mi
School Distance Rating
STONE RIDGE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Merced 0.5 mi 6.5
Come Back Charter Merced 0.8 mi 6.6
John Muir Elementary Merced 0.8 mi 4.8
Luther Burbank Elementary Merced 0.7 mi 3.4
Rudolph Rivera Middle Merced 0.7 mi 4.9
Rudolph Rivera Elementary Merced 0.7 mi 4.2
Allan Peterson Elementary Merced 0.9 mi 3.6
Herbert Hoover Middle Merced 1.2 mi 4.9
John C. Fremont Elementary Merced 1.2 mi 4.7
Yosemite High (Continuation) Merced 1.4 mi 5.5
Independence High (Alternative) Merced 1.4 mi 4.9
Sequoia High Merced 1.5 mi 7.0
Herbert H. Cruickshank Middle Merced 1.4 mi 4.9
Merced City School District Community Day Merced 1.4 mi 2.4
Donn B. Chenoweth Elementary Merced 1.3 mi 3.9
Our Lady of Mercy Merced 1.5 mi
Ada Givens Elementary Merced 1.5 mi 5.1
Charles Wright Elementary Merced 1.7 mi 5.4
Merced County Special Education Merced 1.8 mi 6.3
Don Stowell Elementary Merced 2.0 mi 4.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
ARCHBISHOP MITTY HIGH SCHOOL San Jose, CA 4.8
Centennial High Bakersfield, CA 4.8
El Camino Fundamental High Sacramento, CA 4.8
El Capitan High Merced, CA 4.8
Foothill High Sacramento, CA 4.8
Indian Springs High San Bernardino, CA 4.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Merced High

What grades does Merced High serve?

Merced High serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Merced High?

Merced High has an enrollment of approximately 1,951 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Merced High?

The student-teacher ratio at Merced High is 23.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Merced High rank in CA?

Merced High is ranked #7924 out of 9,533 schools in CA.

What is Merced High's MySchoolScout rating?

Merced High has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Merced High?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Merced High has 15.5% math proficiency and 44.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Merced High a charter school?

No, Merced High is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Merced High a Title I school?

No, Merced High is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Merced High?

76.9% of students at Merced High qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
68 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
76 Very Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,653/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Merced). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,951
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
84
Free/Reduced Lunch
76.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Merced County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

Merced Union High
District Enrollment
11,120
Schools in District
9
Per-Pupil Spending
$16,578
District Rank
#7 of 9

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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